Climate Voices Unite Behind Harris in First Climate Voters for Harris-Walz Event

Wilmington, DE  – Today, on the second anniversary of the passage of the clean energy plan, the Harris-Walz campaign hosted a Climate Voters for Harris-Walz kick off call featuring former Secretary of State John Kerry, Senator Ed Markey, Governor Jay Inslee, former EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, Jane Fonda, Bill Nye, leaders from Climate Power, LCV Action Fund, EDF Action, NRDC Action Fund, Sierra Club Political Committee, founder of Intersectional Environmentalist Leah Thomas, musician and climate advocate Adam Met, and more. The event was MC’d by Dr. Sweta Chakraborty. 

WATCH: Climate Voters for Harris-Walz Event

Speakers highlighted the clean energy progress made in the two years since Vice President Kamala Harris cast the tie-breaking vote to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, tripling the production of clean energy. The clean energy plan has created over 334,565 new jobs and sparked $372 billion in new investment in 47 states and Puerto Rico. The legislation is lowering energy costs, cleaning up our air and water, and bringing good-paying jobs to big cities and small towns across the country. Donald Trump wants to repeal the clean energy plan – putting over 330,000 jobs at risk and raising energy prices. 

“Because of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris we succeeded for the first time ever in agreeing among nations that we must transition away from fossil fuels, and that we have to accelerate it in this decade, and that we have to do so according to the plans for 2050,” said Former Secretary of State John Kerry. “We’re not going back to the point where a president walks away from the Paris Agreement and the rest of the world and drags America along with him.”

“We’re here to wish a happy birthday to our toddler – the Inflation Reduction Act,” said former EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “The IRA has created over 330,000 jobs all while helping Americans breathe clean air and save money on their energy bills.”

“This is not just one of Kamala Harris’ talking points or a bumper sticker – this is close to her heart,” said Governor Jay Inslee. “The most important renewable energy we have is not solar or wind, it’s the people powering this election. If everyone on this call can talk to 10 friends, you’ll get a great administration that will do great things.”

“In New Mexico we’re building the largest wind field in North America, we just opened a wind turbine factory in a rural community, we’re repatriating and bringing home manufacturing jobs in solar and chips and science. The Inflation Reduction Act is literally creating jobs every day in my home state,” said Rep. Melanie Stansbury (NM-01). “The contrast could not be more clear. The biggest, baddest, worst climate denier is Donald Trump. I am fired up and ready to get Vice President Harris and Tim Walz elected.”

“I’m proud to be a climate mayor every day,” said Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb. “We just cut a ribbon on a brand new, free, 24/7 EV charging station not in a wealthy white neighborhood, but in a poor Black neighborhood to show that part of the city that they matter too. America’s mayors are going to be ready to stand with our next President, Kamala Harris.”

“A lot of voters are concerned about human rights, inflation and healthcare – so explain to them that the climate crisis makes all of that worse. It’s the great disruptor,” said Jane Fonda. “This is serious, but with Kamala and Tim in the White House they’ll lead us to a fossil fuel-free future.”

“Harold Hamm – maybe the wealthiest oil and gas guy ever – just said this is the most important election of all time, because if Kamala Harris wins it puts his industry in the rearview,” said Senator Ed Markey. “We agree, this is the most important election of all time for the climate and the planet. Donald Trump cannot win. The denier in chief cannot be in the Oval Office. We can’t agonize, we gotta organize!” 

To hear remarks from every speaker, watch the call recording here. 

As of today, more than 500 climate and clean energy leaders have joined the Together for Harris letter. Some of the newest signers include Former EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20), Chelsea Clinton, Free Solo climber Alex Honnold, and Jack Schlossberg.